Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that apartments, like traditional houses, are homes for many persons and thus include them in the provisions relating to the land development authority Bill. [33866/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. 

In accordance with the Programme for Government, legislation to establish the LDA on a statutory basis is being progressed as a matter of urgency. The Land Development Agency Bill 2021 will focus on the establishment of the corporate form and financial structure of the Agency. The Bill recently concluded Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann. 

As drafted, any reference to a house in the Land Development Agency Bill 2021 can include an apartment. Under Section 3 of the Bill, 'house' has the same meaning as it has in section 2 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The Act of 2000 defines a house as 'a building or part of a building which is being or has been occupied as a dwelling or was provided for use as a dwelling but has not been occupied, and where appropriate, includes a building which was designed for use as 2 or more dwellings or a flat, an apartment or other dwelling within such a building'.

The LDA will provide a range of housing, including apartments, taking account of the specific needs of the relevant area.